When I shared pictures for Gokulashtami this year, I met with a strange, yet familiar reaction. “You don’t seem like the kind to invest time in idol worship!” My response was the same as it always is: I don’t need to wear my beliefs and culture on my sleeves. I’d much rather live by the…
Tag: Lord Krishna
Jai Kanhaiya Laal Ki
I know, I am late by a couple of weeks, but the festive season in India is in full flow, which hardly leaves any time to breathe! It starts with the advent of Onam down south, followed by Varalakshmi Vratam, 10th Day of Onam, Raksha Bandhan, Narali Purnima, and eventually Gokulashtami. Onam is the harvest…
Dahi Handi
At Vrindavan, Krishna was a very naughty child, and his love for makhan (white butter), curds and milk was well known. Vrindavan’s women would tie freshly-churned butter at a height out of Krishna’s reach. But Krishna and his friends would form human pyramid and steal their goodies anyway. This dahi handi ritual has come to…
Rass Leela
Rass Leela a dance which is attributed to Krishna, Radha and the other Gopis. It is further believed that Kathak evolved from the ‘Rass Leela of Braj and Manipuri Classical Dance’ and is often considered as the “Dance of Divine Love”. The story goes like this. One night, the Gopis in Vrindavan, hear Krishna’s flute…
Lord Krishna is Born
According to Hinduism, Krishna was the 8th avatar of Vishnu, and his birth marked the start of Kalyuga, the world we live in. Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India. Per the Hindu calendar, this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or…
Naga Nrithya
The story of nag nrithya is very popular in Indian scriptures. Kaliya was said to be a multi-headed poisonous snake that had made Yamuna river in Vrindavan his home. The snake had spread its venom and poisoned the river, ensuring no living creature could use the water. Garuda, the foe of all serpents was cursed out of Vrindavana and…
Krishna Leela!
I don’t know the significance of this idol, but yes I have seen this often at Satyanarayan Pujas around my locality. If you know what this means, please do enlighten us too!
Proud and Gaiety
Peacock is the national bird of India. Peacocks symbolize ego and pride. In Indian Mythology, Lord Krishna dons a Peacock feather on his crown. While I don’t know the reasons, maybe this link can help. Needless to say I find this practice of selling peacock feathers inhuman, but I know that the stunning bird sheds…
Govinda Alaa Re!
India celebrated Janmastami, or the birthday of Lord Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu, who was instrumental in the creation of Hindu dhramas.
Snapshots of my World 